Participants complete tasks given to them as part of the annual SPAR Wheelchair Wednesday project, which raises awareness of the difficulties disabled people face in daily life. Photo: Leon Hugo
Download imageThe organising team and three recipients of wheelchairs at the first rollout of the annual Wheelchair Wednesday campaign. Photo: Leon Hugo
Download imageAnnual SPAR Wheelchair Wednesday campaign was launched at SUPERSPAR Hunters in Gqeberha. Photo: Leon Hugo
Download imageAmputee Support Group vice-chairman Patrick Wilkie and SUPERSPAR Hunters store manager Suleyman Samson show the containers placed at participating SPAR stores in which people can deposit used walking aids.
Download imageThe SPAR Wheelchair Wednesday campaign is celebrating its 10th anniversary by broadening the scope of its market to include the visually impaired sector of society this year.
This year, the Association for Persons with Physical Disabilities Nelson Mandela Bay (APD) collaborated with the Nkosinathi Foundation for the visually impaired. As part of this collaboration, the wheelchair assistants accompanying the volunteers in wheelchairs are being given simulation spectacles to experience first-hand the difficulties of customers with failing sight.
Last year, the Amputee Support Group (ASG) joined the project, which led to the distribution of crutches and walking aids to local community residents in need. Shoppers can donate walking aids for this worthy cause at participating SPAR stores all year round. ASG continues its involvement this year. Group representatives were also present at the launch at SUPERSPAR Hunters in Gqebhera on 6 October 2021.
SPAR Eastern Cape’s sponsorship of Wheelchair Wednesday has changed the lives of many people. Since the first campaign launch ten years ago, a total of 1,400 wheelchairs have been donated. This support ensures recipients gain more freedom through mobility, the objective of the campaign.
This year, a poignant moment was when five disabled people received their wheelchairs on the campaign launch day of 6 October. Usually, the handover of wheelchairs occurs when the campaign is completed at the end of October.
Source: SPAR South Africa
Read more about SPAR in South Africa.
SPAR South Africa was established in 1963 and operates four retail formats: SPAR, SPAR Express (operated in conjunction with Shell as a petrol forecourt store), KWIKSPAR (which focuses on convenience in city centres and high footfall locations) and SUPERSPAR (similar to EUROSPAR in offer).
South Africa was the first country outside of Europe to join the SPAR organisation. The SPAR Group Ltd South Africa grants sub-licences to independent retailers to operate stores under one of the four formats. Almost all the current store portfolio is independently owned.